When your new hire joins your firm, they are like a deer in the headlights. Transitioning from the college campus to an office environment, they really have no idea how to navigate the turbulent waters of the business world. For the first four to five years, most of their time is spent learning as much technical accounting as possible. By the time they become a manager with responsibilities of managing people and developing new business, they are lacking in the business success skills (aka. soft skills) needed to carry them to the next level.
This program focuses on developing “success skills” early on so by the time year four or five comes along, the learning curve is flattened out and you have a more productive and well-rounded manager.
This learning curriculum is designed to provide your young staff with the essential skills for professional growth. To help reinforce and enhance learning, this program includes a quarterly coaching call in a web-based platform called ThinkTank. In addition, you will receive copy of the instructor’s book, Improv is No Joke – Using Improvisation to Create Positive Results in Leadership and in Life, along with a monthly article.
FIRST YEAR STAFF CURRICULUM (1/2 day):
Professionalism & Business Etiquette
Professionalism and business etiquette mean more than knowing which fork to use at lunch with a client, or what color belt you should wear with your socks. Professionalism and business etiquette is more about presenting yourself with the kind of polish that shows you can be taken seriously. This kind of polish extends itself to how you present yourself to your clients but even more importantly, how you present yourself to your company.
Career Development
Now that you have started your career the are a number of things that you need to manage in order to navigate your career in the right direction. The first thing you need to do is pass the CPA Exam! We will explore other topics that you should start considering as your career begins it early development.
SECOND YEAR STAFF CURRICULUM (1/2 day):
Tips and Techniques on Building a Stronger Professional Network
Networking is one of the most powerful tools professionals can develop, but it takes time, energy and commitment in order to build a strong network. We will discuss various methods in building, developing and cultivating your network. In building this strong network we need to also consider how to effectively leverage social media. Having a strong network will assist you in launching a new idea or plan, develop new business and clients, reduce costs in recruiting, and leveraging your career.
Communicating in the Workplace
How you communicate with your other professionals can make or break your career! We will discuss different client’s personality styles and demonstrate the different ways to communicate information to them. See how recognizing their personality style(s) can turn communication breakdowns into breakthroughs.
THIRD YEAR STAFF CURRICULUM (1/2 day):
Tips and Techniques on Developing New and Existing Business
In today’s competitive market, business development is critical to survival. Business development can be defined as “attracting new business and retaining quality business.”This is a challenging task and one that requires knowledge, experience, patience, and a plan. We will demonstrate that business development does not happen overnight, it is a process of developing relationships over time and having a plan in place in order to achieve your goals. During this course you will develop your own business plan for the coming year.
Building Stronger Teams by Using Improvisation
The skills needed to perform improvisational are the same skills and principles that are used in building successful teams. Improvisational is based on the principles of: trust, respect, support, focus, listen, adapt and applying YES AND,
Through trust and teamwork, businesses can achieve remarkable results. The question many managers and owners are challenged with today is how to develop and foster a team environment that leads to organizational productivity and profitability. This course will help you and your team learn how humor and improvisation can lead to successful teams and ultimately a more productive and profitable business.
FOURTH YEAR STAFF CURRICULUM (1/2 day):
Tips and Techniques on Public Speaking and Presentational Skills
Jerry Seinfeld once said that at a funeral, most people would rather in be in the casket than giving the eulogy. America’s greatest anxiety, public speaking, is a necessity in today’s business world. Those who can speak in front of crowds and have effective presentational skills tend to move up the corporate ladder more swiftly. This course will help you break through the fear so you can stand in front of an audience, project confidence and knowledge, all the while making a connection and capturing your audience’s imagination.
Leadership From a Slightly Different Perspective
Leaders create growth their companies and in others through their vision, passion and integrity. If you are serious about becoming a more effective leader, but ready for a slightly different perspective, this fun and unique class is just what you are looking for.
This course will discuss how to incorporate the principles of improvisational comedy into your own personal leadership style. Explore how leadership is enhanced by the power of networking, the diversity of the generations, and communication between departments. Leverage your creativity, inspiration, public speaking and presentational skills to bring more value to your company and your career.
CAPSTONE (1/2 day):
Backpack to Briefcase Capstone
This capstone course is delivered within 6 months of completing the fourth year curriculum. We will spend a half-a-day tying the leadership concepts of the course together through activity-based learning.